Transmission



oct. 15, 1935.

R. LAPsLY TRANSMISSION lFiled June 29, .i931

:5' sheets-sheet 1 R. LAP'sLEY ocr. 15, 1935.

TRANSMISSION Filed June` 29, 1931 3 SheetS-Sheet 2 od. 1s, 1935. R1 APSLEY 2,017,101 A TRANSMISSION Filed June 29, `1931 3 sheets-sheet 3 Mark/QL Patented ou, 15, 1935.

PTENT FFICE v TRANSMISSION Robert Lapsley, Berri-en Springs, Mich., assigne.

to Clark Equipment Company,

Buchanan,

Mich., a corporation of AMichigan Application June 29, 1931, Serial No. 547,576

` 11 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to transmissions for automobiles and other vehicles and is particularly concerned with an improvement in the change speed gearing' and the supporting means therefor, and particularly a new and improved shifting means for effecting the various gear changes.

More specifically, the present invention has for its principal object the provision of a change speed transmission, preferably including an over drive, having ve forward speeds and reverse and which is `so constructed and arranged that a compact and sturdy construction is obtained wherein the shifting mechanism for the various gear or speed changes is so arranged that the sequential operation thereof is substantially the same as the customary threeor four-speed transmission in use to-day. The principal advantage arising from the feature just mentioned is that an orderly progression of movements of the gear shift lever is obtained in passing successively through the various gear changes. It is also an important object of the present invention to incorporate the above advantages in a transmission where the fifth or highest forward speed is an over-drive, that is, the speed of the driven shaftof the transmission is stepped up above the speed of the driving shaft.

Heretofore in transmissions of the above described general type there has been a distinct interruption or abrupt change in the progression of the movements of the gear shift lever in entering and leaving the various shift positions so that the operation of the automobile in effecting various gear changes was unnatural and required considerable attention on the part of the operatorr in order to correctly follow through the proper sequence in goingfrom one speed to another, this disadvantage arising principally because the movements of the gear shift lever did not follow one another in an orderly progression and was somewhat dissimilar from the usual or standard shift employed at the present time. I

Other objects and advantages resulting from the various structural features of the transmission which has been chosen for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a cross-section through a transmission incorporating the various structural and functional improvements of the present insvention;

Figure 2 an enlarged fragmentary view taken the along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with part of the housing broken away and showing al portion of my improved shifting mechanism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3;-3 of Figure 2 and also showing a portion of the improved shifting mechanism;

Figure 4 is a cross section taken substantially along the line d--t of Figure 2 showing shift restraining means for low speed and reverse;

Figures 5 to 11, inclusive, are fragmentary views 10 showing the various positions of the shift rods and the gear shift lever corresponding to the various gear changes;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the uniform progressive movement of the gear shift l5 lever in effecting the various gear changes in sequence; and

Figure 13 vis a diagrammatic sketch corresponding to Figure 12 but illustrating the non-uniform movement of the upper end of the gear shift when my motion reversing mechanism is omitted.

Referring now more particularly to Figure l, the reference numeral IIJ indicates the gear box or transmission housing having a front wall I I, a rear wall I2 and a top cover plate I3 carrying the shift rods I5, I6 andvH and a pedestal or upstanding boss I8 in which the gear shift lever I9 is mounted for universal movement. Each of the shift rods I5, I6 and II is provided with a lug or yoke 2| secured thereto in any manner desired, as by a set screw 22, and with which the lower end N of the gear shift lever is adapted to be selectively engaged. Preferably, the lower end 24 is narrowed by milling away a portion on'opposite sides and also rounded to facilitate operating the shift rods `and moving into and out of engagement with the various yokes or lugs 2I. Each of the shift rods slidably mounted in the housing or cover plate and .is movable to various positions corresponding to the different gear changes as will be more 'clearly explained hereinafter. In

, order to hold the shift rods I5, I6 and I1 in their various positions, each is provided with a number of recesses or depressions 25, 26 and 21 in which a spring pressed ball 30 is adapted to be received, 45 as is well understood in the art. The tension of the springs cooperating with the balls 30 may be adjusted by screw means 3 I. For reasons of structural and manufacturing expediency' the described retaining means for the shift rods I5 and 50 I `I are arranged in a horizontal position while the retaining means for the central shift rod lI6 is arranged in a' vertical position, as best shown in Figure 1; This may, of course, vary.

The forward wail I I of the transmission housl ing |0 carries a clutch or bell housing 35 which is adapted to enclose the usual operating clutch (not shown) which when engaged drives the driving shaft 31 journaled in the forward portion of a transmission housing I0, preferably by ball bearing means including anti-friction balls 39, an' inner race 40 and an outer race 4|, the latter being carried in a collar 42 secured in any manner desired to the front wall I of the housing I0.l The rear end of the driving shaft 31 is provided with a driving gear 45 which may be separately formed and keyed or otherwise secured to the driving shaft 31 but preferably is formed vintegrally therewith as shown in Figure 1. From this gure it will be observed that the driving shaft 31 and the driving gear 45 are provided with a pair of axial bores 41 and 48, the latter having a plu-A rality of teeth 50 for a purpose to be described later and the former having mounted therein roller bearing means 5I receiving and supporting the forward reduced end 52 of the driven shaft 54.

'I'he driven shaft 54 is provided with a splined portion 55 having a vdiameter greater than the splined portion 56 forward of the splined portion 55, as best shown in Figure 1. Between these portions a shoulder 58 is provided, and the splines 59 of the portion 56 may be extended rearwardly to a point near or at the shoulder 58. As just described, the forward end of the driven shaft 34 is supported within the bore 41 of the driving shaft 31 while the rear end of the driven shaft 34'is carried by ball bearing means mounted in the rear wall I2 ofthe transmission housing I0. This ball bearing means includes a plurality of antiefriction elements 6| operatinglbetween an inner race 62 and an outer race 63, the former being. secured to the driven shaft 54 while the outer race 63 is fixedly mounted in the rear wall I2 of the transmission housing. The means for retaining the stationary race 63 in position may take any convenient form, but preferably' in the illustrated embodiment this means comprises a hub 65 bolted to therear wall I2 and receiving in abutting engagement the stationary race 63, the latter abut- I ting against a spring ring 66 mounted in a suitably formed groove in the rear wall I2. The bearing means 6I-63 is of well known construction and is adapted to take both radial and axial loads.

A countershaft or secondary shaft 10 is journaled in the lower part of the transmission housing I0 by ball bearing means similar to that just described in connection with the driven shaft 54. 'I he ball bearing means at the end of the countershaft or secondary shaft 10 is seen to comprise a stationary race 1| mounted in the rear wall I2 of the transmission housing, an inner race 12 having a pressed t onto the rear reduced end of the countershaft 10, and a plurality of anti-friction balls 14 operating between the inner and outer races in the usual manner. 'I'he ball bearing means for the forward end of the countershaft 10 comprises the inner race 16 secured to the forward reduced end of the countershaft 10, the outer race 11 mounted in the forward wall of the transmission housing I0, and a plurality of vanti-frictionballs 18 operating between 4the races 16 and 11. Both the bearing means just described are capable of taking axial and radial loads.

v Coming now to the gear means or gear connections whereby ve forward speeds and reverse is obtained, it will be noted that the driving gear 45 on the driving shaft 31 is in mesh with and drives a driven gear keyed onto the countershaft 10 near the forward end thereof. By this means, therefore, the countershaft 10 is driven at all times with the driving shaft 31. 'I'he larger splined portion 55 of the driven shaft 54 carries two gears 83 and 84 thereon, these gears being lslidable axially of the driven shaft 54 but constrained by their splined engagement therewith to rotate the shaft. Each of the gears 83 andv 84 carries a grooved hub, 86 and 81, respectively, with which shift forks 89 and 90 are engaged. Shift fork 89 is fixedly secured to the rear end of the shift rod I1 while the `shift fork 90 is fixedly secured to the shift .rod I6. A floating or freely rotatable gear 93 is journaled on the portion 56 of the driven shaft 54 just forward of the shoulder 58. The gear 93 carries an inwardly extending radial flange 94 which abuts directly against the shoulder 58 so that any axial thrust thereof is transmitted directly to'the driven shaft 54 and to the bearing means 6I--63. The floating gear 93 rotates on a bushing 96 which rotateswith the driven shaft 54. Preferably, the bushing 96 has one or more keys 91 engaging the splines 59, and the rear end of the bushing 96 is arranged to abut against the flange 94 so as to hold the gear 93 up against the shoulder 58.

The bushing 96 is itself held in position by a toothed washer or lock ring |00 which is passed over the splined portion 56 of the driven shaft 54 until it abuts against the bushing 96, whereupon the ring or washer I 00 is then given a slight rotational displacement so that the teeth thereof, operating in a circumferential groove I0| established by interruptions in the splines 59, occupy positions behind the splines II. When thus in proper position, a spring pressed plunger |03 radially movable in the driven shaft 54 moves outwardly to a. position between 'adjacent teeth on the toothed washer or ring |00, thus effectively holding the latter in place and thereby retaining the bushing 96 andthe associated gear 93 in proper position on the driven shaft 54.

A sliding clutch hub or dog |08 is mounted just forward of the floating gear 93, and is provided with a shift groove |09 which is engaged by a shift fork I I0. The shift fork ||0 is itself slidable on the shift rod I 1 which controls the movements of the gear 83 at the rear end of the driven shaft 54. The gear 93 has a forward hub ||2 with interior teeth I I 3 formed therein which are adapted to be engaged by the teeth I I5 on the rear end of the slidable hub or dog |08. The forward end of the hub |08 is also'provided with teeth II1, and these latter teeth are adapted to engage the teeth 50 formed interiorly of the axial bore 41 in the `driving gear 45. When the sliding hub `|08 -is shifted forwardly the driving shaft 31 is connected directly with the driven shaft 54 and when the vsliding hub |08 is shifted rearwardly, the oating gear 93 is connected to rotate with the driven shaft 54.

The countershaft carries a number of gears with which the gears 83, 84 and 93 on the driven shaft 54 are adapted to cooperate. A large gear |20 is keyed onto the countershaft 10 and is spaced from the driven gear 80 by means of a sleeve I2I. The large gear |20 is in constant mesh with the gear 93 on the driven shaft 54, and preferably'these two gears have helical teeth so that quietness in operation is attained. The use of helical gears, however, causes a certain amount of axial thrust, but in the present construction this is taken care of by the abutting relation between the floating gear 93 and the driven shaft 54 whereby the bearing means 6|-63 effectively resists the axial thrust of the gear 93, while the thrust of the gear |20 is trans- .portions I29 and |30 of different diameters.

mitted by the sleeve |2| directly to the driven gear 80 and to the inner race 'I6 of the bearing means 16-18. y

The rear end of the countershaft 10 is provided with a cylindrical bearing portion having an oil groove |26 and upon lwhich is journaled a compound or double gear Lubricant in the housing or casing I0 reaches the oil groove |26 through openings or interruptions |3| in the hub of the gear |28. The compound gear |28 is rotatable with respect to the countershaft 10 but is driven by the countershaft through a compound or double gear |32, the larger end |33 of which is in constant mesh with a small gear |34 secured to or formed integrally with the countershaft 10. The other-end of the compound or double gear |32 is in mesh with and drives the gear on the compound gear |28 rotatable on the countershaft 10. Due to the difference between the size of the gears |33 and |34 it is to be observed that as the countershaft 10 is rotatable the double gear |32 will be rotated thereby but at a slower speed and this will, in turn, drive the compound gear I28'at a rate of rotation less than that of the countershaft 10.

The gear |20, as will be observed from Figure l, is also a double gear, the smaller portion of which is indicated by the reference numeral |31. In the drawings the gear |31 is substantially the same diameter as the gear |29, but it must be remembered that gear |31 is keyed and rotates with the countershaft 10 while the gear |29 is rotated at a speed somewhat slower than' the countershaft 10.. The gear 84 on the larger splined portion' 55 of the driven shaft 54 occupies a position intermediate the gears |29 and |31, and the gear 84 is shiftable to two positions, one in which the gear 84 mehes with the gear |31, the other position being one in which the gear 84 meshes with the gear |29. The gear 83, the largest' gear on the driven shaft 54, is adapted to meshwith the small gear |30 of the compound gear |28 in `one position, while in another position the gear 8.3 is adapted to mesh with the gear |33 of the compound gear |32. The latter, which thus acts as a reversevidler, is journaled upon a shaft |40 mounted in any manner desirable in the rear wall I2 of the housing and a bracket or boss |4I formed on one side of the transmission housing I0.

The operation of the above described gear connections for the various speed changes is as follows: Shift fork 89 is movable rearwardly to engage the gear 83 with the reverse idler |33 to effect reverse drive. When the shift fork 89 is moved forwardly the gear 83 meshes with the gear |30 constantly driven with but at a slower speed than the countershaft 10 to effect low or first speed. To effect second speed the shift fork 90 is moved rearwardly to shift the gear 84 into engagement with the larger gear |29 on the slowly rotatable compound gear |28. To effect third speed the shift fork 90 is movable forwardly to engage the gear 84 with the smaller gear |31 keyed directly to the countershaft 10. To effect fourth speed or direct drive the shift forkA H0 is moved forwardly to engage the teeth |08 with the teeth 50 formed on the driving gear 45, thus directly connecting the driving shaft 31 with the driven shaft 54, and to effect fth speed or over drive the shift fork IIIJ is moved rearwardly to engage the teeth ||5 with the teeth ||3 of the floating gear 93, thereby connecting the gear 93 with the driven shaft 54, the drive then being |28 having two gear l.

from the driven gearA to the driven gear 80 through the countershaft 10 to the helical gear |20 and thence through the helical gear 9.3'to the driven shaft 54.

It is to be noted that each of the shift forks 89 and 90 control two of each fork is movable rearwardly toengage the lower of the two speeds controlled thereby, whereas the shift fork IIO is moved forwardly in order to establish the lower of the two gear changes which it controls. The shift forks 89 and 90 are directly connected to the corresponding shift rods, I1 and I6, respectively, but if an orderly progression of'movement of the gear shift lever I9 is to be attained the shift fork III) cannot be directly connected to its shift rod I5. It is, therefore, slidably mounted on the shift rod |1 and connected with its actuating shift rod I5 through a motion reversing mechanism so that the gear shift lever |9 in establishing fourth speed or direct drive may be moved in the same direction in which it is moved when establishing re verse or second speed, which corresponds respectively to the lower speed for any particular lateral position of the gear shift lever.

The reversing mechanism for achieving this result is as follows: All of the shift rods |5, |6 and |1 are slidably mounted in the cover I3 in closely spaced relation. Shift rod I5 carries a collar fixed thereto and provided with a pair l of upstanding ears I5I. As described above, the shift fork |I0 is slidable on'the shift rod I1, and the shift fork I|0 carries also a pair of upstanding ears |53. The cover plate I3 is provided with an apertured boss |55,` best shown in Figure 3 the gear changes, and

and the boss carries a pivot stud or bolt |56 l upon which a rocker arm or lever |58 is pivoted. The arm or lever |58 is thus fulcrumed about a central point for -swinging movement about a vertical axis. The ends of the lever |58 are rounded as best shown in Figure 2 and these ends are received respectively between the ears or lugs |5| and |53.

The collar |50 carries a laterally projecting web |80 having an arcuate recess I6| which embraces the adjacent shift rod I6 for the purpose of preventing accidental angular displacement or rotation of the shift rod I5, the other rods I6 and |1- having shift forks 89 and 90 which serve this purpose.

With reference to the operation of this motion reversing mechanism, whenever the gear shift lever i9 is shifted laterally to a position to .l

engage the lug 2| on the shift rod I5 and is then given a movement rearwardly, which corresponds in direction to moving either of the shift rods I6 and I1 rearwardly to effect the lower of the gear changes controlled respectively by said shift rods, the lever |58 is swung in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, thus shifting the shift fork |I0 forwardly and thereby engaging the. driving and driven shafts for direct drive, which is the lower of the two gear changes controlled bythe shift fork ||0.and the slidable clutch dog |98.

Correspondingly when the shift rod I5 is moved forwardly, which calls for a movement of the gearshift lever I9 corresponding to the movement of the gear shift lever in either of its other two lateral positions when the higher of the drives controlled by the gear shift lever in that lateral position, the lever |58 is swung in a clockwise direction and shifts the shift fork I|0 and the hub to move the shift rod it is desired to effect |08 rearwardly thus 4position both of 54 whereby the fifth speed or overdrive is established. Therefore, were it not for the reversal of movement between the shift rod I5 and the shift fork IIO controlled thereby there would be a distinct interruption or break in the successive movements of the gear shift lever in going from third to fourth speed. Figure 13 illustrates the movement of the upper or operating end of the gear shift if the shift fork I|0 were directly connected to its shift rod I5 while`Figure 12 shows the orderly progression of movements of the gear shift lever obtained by the use of my novel motion reversing mechanism.

Figures 5 to 11, as well as Figure 12, show the operation or movements of the gear`lshift lever in detail. Figure 5 shows the relation of the parts when the gear shift lever is in neutral, while Figures 6 to 11 show the position of the parts in various speeds including reverse. As there shown, for reverse drive, the upper or outer end of the gear shift lever is moved laterally to the left and then forwardly; gear shift lever ismoved directly rearwardly; for second speed the gear shift lever is moved forwardly to neutral and then laterally to the right one step and then forwardly; for third speed the gear shift lever is moved in this lateral position directly rearwardly; for fourth speed or direct drive, the gear shift lever is moved forwardly to neutral and then to the right to its second lateral position and then forwardly; and lastly fth speed or over drive the gear shift lever is moved directly rearwardly. These various grammatically illustrated in Figure l2 from which it will be seen that the movements of the gear shift lever are made in the usual manner and follow one another in a natural and orderly sequence or progression.

In order to prevent the accidental displacement of any of the shift rods when one of them is inoperative position I provide a form of latch or lock means best shown in Figure 2. As there shown each of -the adjacent or contiguous surfaces of the shift rods I5, I6 and I1 is provided with a small recess, designated generally by the reference numeral |10. When the yshift rods I5, I6 and I1 are in neutral, these recesses occupy a position in line with the bore joining the horizontally arranged spring pressed balls 30. Two plungers |1| and ,|12 are arranged in this bore and are provided with rounded ends cooperating withthe recesses I 10 in the shift rods. ersv |1| and |12 is so dimensioned in length that movement of either of the associated shift rods out of neutral position will project theassociated plunger into the recess formed in the adjacent 'shift rod.

If, for example, the intermediate shift rod I6 were actuated both plungers |1| and |12 would be displaced outwardly and enter the recesses |10 in the shift rods I5 and I1 and occupy the position in which they are shown in full lines in Figure 2. Thus when shift rod I 6 is moved out of its neutral the other shift rods, I5 and I1, are held in locked engagement with the transmission housing whereby their accidental displacement is prevented. If either one of the shift-rods I5 or I1 is actuated the corresponding plunger |1| or |12 will be displaced and enter the recess 10 in the shift rod I6, thus locking that shift rod in neutral. In order, however, to have both of the other two shift rods locked when either shift rod I5 or I1 is moved, the following mechanism is provided.

The central `shift rod I6 is provided with a for rst or low speed drive the movements are dia- Y Each of the plung-l against the snap lever |95 operate with the slot |16 for holding the pin |15 5 in place. Thus movement ofthe shift rod I5 out of its neutral position will lock the shift rods I6 and I1, and movement of the shift rod Il will lock the rods I5 and I6 in a similar manner.

In order to prevent the inadvertent operation of 1 0 the first speed and reverse shift rod when it is actually not desired to use either of these gear speeds, it being understood that in a transmission of the above described type reverse is relatively seldom employed and particularly where more 15 than three forward speeds are provided, it is customary to operate in the rst speed only in cases where the vehicle is ascending avery steep hill or otherwisein rough going, restraining means is provided. Under normal operative conditions it is 20 seldom, if ever, necessary to go into first speed, and hence in a transmission of this type where both the reverse and lowspeed gear changes are controlled by one shift rod it is particularly desirable to provide a mechanism which imposes an 25 appreciable restraining force on the gear shift lever when it is operated in a manner tending to move it into engagement with the low speed and reverse shift rod. The purpose of the restraining force is principally to call the attention of the 30 operator to the fact that he is shifting gears into low speed or into reverse and hence will prevent inadvertent operation when it is not desired to engage the low speed or reverse gears. Howp Therefore, in combination with the present 40- transmission, I have shown a snap or restraining mechanism mounted on the shift rod I1 which controls the low speed and reverse gear changes, aswill be best understood from Figures 2 and 4. The yoke or lug 2| for the shift rod I1 is ar- 45 ranged to pivotally carry a snap lever |95 on a pivot pin |96. When in normal position, as shown in Figure 2, the snap lever |95 is located so that it overlies the slot in thelug or yoke 2| on the shift rod I1 whereby the snap lever is in the 50 path of movement of the gear shift lever I9 so as to tend to prevent the same from entering into engagement with the shift rod I1. A spring pressed plunger |91 holds the snap lever |95 in its normal position, the spring |98 being 55 received withinl a recess formed in a boss on the lug or yoke 2| in which the plunger |91 is movable. A projection |99 on the snap lever I954is adapted to rest against the side of the plunger |91, thus definitely limiting lthe upper motion off/60 the plunger |91 whereby the snap lever |95 is held in a predetermined position relative to gear shift lever I9. As best shown *iny Figure 3, this normal position of the snap lever |95 is almost, but not quite, perpendicular to the gear shift' lever I 9. Thus when the gear shift lever is moved the lever arm of the applied force tending to swing the snap lever upwardly is very short at the beginning of the upward movement of the snap lever. However, as soon as Ithe lever |95l swings upwardly thislever arm is `materially increased sothat once the resistance to moving the gear shift lever into engagement with the shift rod I1 is overcome, the shift may be completed without any further rod, and shift restraining noticeable resistance. As stated above, this is an important feature in connection with the particular type of transmission disclosed where the reverse and low speed gear changes are seldom employed as compared with the number of times the other gear changes are utilized.

.In order that my improved transmission may be arranged for installation in vehicles and the like, I mount a brake operating lever 205 on the transmission housing I to which is also secured a latch segment 20S with which theA latch pawl 20T cooperates in the usual manner. A link 209 connects the brake lever 205 with the crank 2I0 rzvllich contracts the emergency or parking brake While I have shown and described a particular transmission with the various features utilized in combination therewith it is to be understood that the principles of the present invention may be employed in structures differing widely from that shown and described.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

l. Gear shifting mechanism comprising a shift lever, three gear shifting rods having lugs adapted for selective engagement by said shift lever, gear shifting forks carried by two of said rods, one'of said forks being slidable on the rod, and lmeans comecting the slidable fork with the third.` shift ro 2. Gear shifting mechanism comprising a shift lever, three gear shifting rods having lugs adapted for selective engagement by said shift lever, gear shifting forks for the rods, one being xedly secured to each of two of said shift rods and a third fork movably mounted with respect to the third shift rod, and means including a motion reversing lever having a xed fulcrum and connecting the third shift rod with said third shift fork.

3. Gear shifting mechanism comprising a shift lever, three gear shifting rods having lugs adapted for selective engagement by saidl shift lever, gear shifting forks for the rods, one being xed to each of two of said shift rods and a third fork being movably mounted on one of said two rods and operatively connectedwith the third shift means for said shift lever, opposing movement of the shift lever toward engagement with said oneshift rod with a variable decreasing force.

4. Gear shifting mechanism for transmissions comprising a gear shift lever, three gear shifting rods having yokes adapted to be selectively engaged by said gear shift lever, gear shifting forks for the rods, one being rigidly secured to each of two of said rods and another fork being slidably mounted on one of said rods, and motion reversing means connecting said other fork with the third shift rod and comprising a lever of the first class.

5. Gear shifting mechanism for a change speed gearing comprising selectively operated gear connections for effecting reverse drive and first, second, third and fth speeds, and a slidable member for effecting fourth speed and for completing the gear connection for fifth speed, said gear shifting mechanism comprising three slidably mounted shift rods, a gear shift lever for moving said rods, two of said rods connected with the gear connections for reverse, first, second, and third speeds, a shift fork connected with the slidable member and movably mounted independently of the third shift rod, and motion reversing linkage disposed between the gear connections for effecting reverse third shift rod and said shift fork and having pivotal connection with the third shift rod and said shift fork, whereby the movements of said shift lever are progressively uniform from reverse through first to 6. Gear shifting mechanism in a transmission for automobiles affording five speeds forward and reverse and including a housing, axially aligned driving and driven shafts journaled therein, a countershaft, gears of different ratio on the countershafts, and mechanism including three selectively operable gear means splined on the driven shaft and cooperating with said gears to effect said speed changes, said gear. shifting mechanism comprising three shift rods connected respectively with said gear means, two of said rods movable rearwardly to effect one speed change and forwardly to effect the next adjacent speed change in the series, the third shift rod being movable forwardly to effect one speed change and rearwardly to effect the next speed change in the series, and vice versa, a, gear shift lever, and means including reversing mechanism connecting the lever with said rods whereby the lever is movable in all cases forwardly to eect certain speed changes and rearwardly to effect the next adjacent higher speed changes, the movements of said gear shift lever being thereby an orderly progression for effecting all of said speed changes in uniform sequence.

'7. Gear shifting mechan'sm for a transmission comprising a driving s aft, a driven shaft, a countershaft, gear means connecting the driving shaft and the countershaft including a shift- 3'5 able clutch hub splined on the driven shaft and optionally engageable with certain of said gear means and with the driving shaft, said gear shifting mechanism comprising shift mechanism for controlling the gear means and the shiftable 4o clutch hub includinga plurality of shift rods, and means movably mounted on one of said rods vand connected to be moved by but opposite to another shift rod for shifting said clutch hub.

8. Gear shifting mechanism for a transmission capable of effecting five forward speeds including an overdrive and reverse including a gear shift lever and three shift rods, one controlling reverse and first speed,- a second controlling second and third' speeds, and' a third controlling fourth speed and the overdrive, a shiftable member movable in one direction to complete said overdrive and in the other direction to effect fourth speed, a shift fork for said shiftable member slidably mounted on said one shift rod, a pivoted lever having a sliding pivotal connection with said shift fork, and a collar having a sliding pivotal connection with said lever and xed'to said third shift rod so that 60 movement of the latter shifts said fork in an opposite direction on the first shift rod, whereby the gear shift lever is movable in an orderly progression from reverse through first to fth speeds.

' 9. Gear shifting mechanism for a change speed gearing comprising selectively operated drive and first, second, third and fifthV speeds, and a slidable member to effect fourth speed, said gear shifting mechanism controlling said speed changes and including three slidably mounted shift rods, a gear shift lever for moving said rods, two of said rods being connected with the gear connections forreverse, first, second and fth speeds. 5

third speeds, la shift fork connected with the slidable member and movably mounted independently of said third shift rod, and motion reversing means between the third shift rod and said shift fork, whereby the movements of said shift lever are progressively uniform from reverse through rst to fifth speeds.

10. Gear shifting mechanism comprising a shift-lever, a plurality of gear shifting rods having lugs( adapted for selective engagement by said shift lever, gear shifting forks for the rods, one being xedly secured to one of said shift rods and another fork movably mounted on one of the shift rods, and meansincluding a lever having a xed fulcrum and disposed transversely of said shift rods for. connecting one of them with said movable shift fork to impart to the latter a motion different than the motion imparted to the shift rod connected thereto by said lever.

1l. Gear shifting mechanism comprising a shift lever, a plurality of gear shifting rods having lugs adapted for selective engagement by said shift lever, gear shifting forksfor the rods, one being movably mounted on one of the shift rods, a pivotally mounted lever disposed transversely of said shifting rods, means connecting one end of said transverse lever with one of said rods, and means connecting said movable fork with said transverse lever at a point spaced from the end thereof which is connected with the associated shifting rod, whereby actuation of the latter shifts the movable fork relatively to the shifting rod on which it is mounted.

ROBERT LAPSLEY. 

